Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner Strike $12.5B Lakers Deal, Buss to Stay as Governor

Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner have agreed to buy a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers from Mark Walter for $12.5 billion, with Jeanie Buss remaining the team’s governor for at least five years; the deal, which requires NBA board approval, marks a major ownership shift following Walter’s purchase and a period of front-office and sponsorship changes, while Walter keeps ownership of the Dodgers and Sparks. Kushner’s Thrive Capital has sports-ownership interests, and Iger’s move into Lakers ownership aligns with his broader sports ventures as the team aims to compete at the highest level and grow its brand in Los Angeles.